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Before we get started let me take this opportunity to wish you all A Very Happy, Peaceful and Prosperous New Year.

Today you may be busy with New Year's Day gatherings or you may Be feeling a little worse for wear after the New Years Eve Celebrations so for now we are going to be gentle.

No fasting, no detox (unless of course you want to) but I would advocate that we ease ourselves gently into the New Year by remembering our first mantra.

Step 1. Wear perfume. You should smell divine every day. Don't save your favourite fragrances "for best". Never again save anything for best. Don't we deserve to be the best we can be - every single day.

Ah but what about the cost I hear you say. This is a Money saving website after all.......

Well you don't have to douse yourself in your most expensive Dior or Chanel perfumes. A simple spray of cologne will still smell wonderful.

And one of the nicest smells of all is a waft of fresh clean soap. So if you can't afford perfume then at least make sure you are freshly washed or showered and use a lovely soap or shower gel.

So dig out some of those new smellies you got for Christmas and start using them.

Today's tip.

Got a perfume you don't like because it's too strong or heavy?? Dilute it.

Don't throw it away or regift it. Add it to some simple cream or lotion or even some vegetable oil and make a luxurious moisturising body treatment. The height of luxury and decadence for mere pennies.

I am still recovering from my chest infection.......feeling a lot better today but I'm still going to take it easy. So........I am going to spend some time today pondering on what I would like to achieve this year. I am not going to think in terms of New Years Resolutions it will be more a case of goal setting.

As most of you will know Dad died on Friday so much of January will entail making his funeral arrangements and sorting out his estate.
This means that, realistically, I am going to be busy for the next couple of weeks so I might have to catch up with my new plans.

But.......just because I might not be posting everyday doesn't mean to
Say that I won't be keeping a watchful eye on you. I shall be reading and observing!!!

So please start the new fabbing year without me and I'll catch up with you all again just as soon as I can.

Oh it does. I'm so glad you're getting so much pleasure already and that the 'move' went smoothly. I know absolutely nothing about horses but it's good to read about your happy times.

Sugarbaby's right that it is worth looking after yourself chippy at all times. I'm confident you'll feel better when you do tackle the weightloss but meantime carry on with establishing good fabbing habits. Regular visits to the hairdresser would be high on my list. I never feel fab when my hair's a mess.

Unfortunately, I missed out on the live courtyard performances Lainey. We have decided to go back again as a group and see some of the things we missed. Although we had tickets for 3 properties we only managed 2 (and missed out on the courtyard) as my friend moves so slowly and needs frequent stops.

My DGD has gone back to university today but it's her birthday next weekend so we'll get to see her again soon. She was in halls last year but today she's moving into a house with friends. It's DH's birthday on Thursday. I'm hoping we'll go out somewhere nice for the day. I have ideas but really he needs to decide as it shouldn't be my choice. So likely to be 2 meals out this week which while good to have an opportunity to dress up a bit isn't good for the weightloss!

My DGD has gone back to university today but it's her birthday next weekend so we'll get to see her again soon. She was in halls last year but today she's moving into a house with friends. It's DH's birthday on Thursday. I'm hoping we'll go out somewhere nice for the day. I have ideas but really he needs to decide as it shouldn't be my choice. So likely to be 2 meals out this week which while good to have an opportunity to dress up a bit isn't good for the weightloss!

I normally have a 'me' day but I have a work event that day. I could have missed it, but it's a fun event, so I don't mind going in for it. I like to have a couple of 'me' days a year, where I take the day off and do something nice like treating myself to a beauty treatment, nice lunch and a bit of shopping or an event etc. I normally have one for my birthday and one in Feb/March. I work full time and the majority of my annual leave goes on school holidays, so I don't get much time to myself. In theory, I have Fridays to myself, as I work compressed hours. But, I have to do the school run, so it doesn't leave me with much time to do anything productive.

Just like Indie we are doing some home fabbing. We've decided to turn the box room into a bedroom for DS (we were using it for storage) and the decorate DD's room. The cost of decorating will be low, as OH will be doing the work, but we will need to buy furniture for their rooms and also our room.

Must be something in the air chanie! We're doing some decorating too or rather, because DH is busy, we've got painters in.
They're painting the outside of the house and also hall/stairs/landing inside and giving the kitchen a lick of paint.

They are irritating though. They should have started last Wednesday when we were away but we came home to find nothing!! They didn't contact us to say why so we pursued them by phone/text/email until eventually on Saturday they said they'd start Monday at 8.00 a.m. Turned up 20-30 minutes late both days and have already finished for the day!! Fortunately we're paying for the job rather than daily but what a charmed life!

I did not get to Pizza Express last Sunday, as I was just so physically exhausted, all I needed was lots of rest to be fit for work on the Monday.

Even though working makes me ache all over and gives me chest pains (which are so not good), I am thankful to be able to do light duties. I am just taking each day as it comes.

I went to my local Odeon yesterday morning to watch Their Finest and I really enjoyed this film. I would give this film 9/10. I then treated myself with lunch at Pizza Express using one of my Nectar Summer Rewards vouchers. It got me 2 free pizzas, so I had one for lunch and bought the other one home and put it in the fridge.

Lambeth Council Benefits is turning out to be their usual lackluster selves. I was told on 4 occasions that I would have a new decision after my dispute form was logged onto the computer on 15th August, by the 11th September at the latest. So I phoned on the 12th September, only to find the goalposts have been changed and the latest date for the new decision is now September 27th. I was very unhappy, so I spoke to a Manager and got nowhere fast. I explained just how much the decision had negatively impacted on my finances, and she was sympathetic, but insisted nothing could be done until the 27th September had come and gone. So now I have to wait until the 27th September to get the new decision. If it has not been done by the 27th, then I have to call back on the 28th September and they will escalate the decision. I just have to be patient.2 weeks from now, it should be resolved and all the arrears of Housing Benefit should be paid. I had to pay £500 rent from my savings, so that my rent account would not go into arrears, as normally I pay my rent upfront and leave hundreds of pounds of credit on my rent account for lean times that I could not predict would happen. Like now. Thanks to Lambeth Council and their error I am having to fork out money that I should not be paying for rent and Council Tax.

I am going dancing on Friday evening, come what may. I am really looking forward to it. I just want an evening of doing one of the things that really make me happy.

Fab Friday. I will be going out later, just grocery shopping and maybe a bit of charity shop mooching. It feels quite autumnal again so probably a pair of trousers and a fine knit top, with either a coatigan or my trench coat, depending on whether or not it decides to rain. Smart casual today. Still haven't been successful in buying new trousers or jeans. Might try again today.

SUgarbaby.....how awful to have to be battling not just feeling below par but also having to fight for your benefits like that. It must be so stressful for you. I don't know ........the whole "system" just seems to be a shambles.

Same with the NHS I'm afraid. As you know I have problems with muscles and joints. I have had a fibro flare up this week and I've had killer backache. I am lucky in that I can afford to pay for Physio. NHS provision here is dire but it's the only thing that helps me so I just pay for my own treatments. Not everyone can afford this so they suffer in silence. It's not right really.

I hope you get things sorted out soon. Meanwhile enjoy dancing tonight. Get your glad rags on and have some fun.

Chanie......love the tale of your husbands procrastination over the bathroom, men are so funny aren't they sometimes. My husband was just the same. I either rolled up my sleeves or bribed the boys to help me. Or when he was working away, I just got someone in.

The funniest one was the hall. It desperately needed painting and being scared of heights I am hopeless with ladderwork (to be fair so was my husband). I said I would get a decorator. He said no I'll be ok, I'll do it, I'll manage. Anyway after a couple of years of waiting I got fed up and sneakily got a decorator in. I figured I could smooth things over after the event if he got upset.

He gave every appearance of not even noticing. I think he did, I think he just chose to maintain a diplomatic silence he was probably secretly relieved but didn't want to admit it.

Fab Friday. I will be going out later, just grocery shopping and maybe a bit of charity shop mooching. It feels quite autumnal again so probably a pair of trousers and a fine knit top, with either a coatigan or my trench coat, depending on whether or not it decides to rain AGAIN. Smart casual today.

Much the same going on here LL. Every morning this week seems to have dawned bright and dry but at some time every day torrential rain (rarely forecast) comes on.

“

Sugarbaby.....how awful to have to be battling not just feeling below par but also having to fight for your benefits like that. It must be so stressful for you. I don't know ........the whole "system" just seems to be a shambles.

Same with the NHS I'm afraid. As you know I have problems with muscles and joints. I have had a fibro flare up this week and I've had killer backache. I am lucky in that I can afford to pay for Physio. NHS provision here is dire but it's the only thing that helps me so I just pay for my own treatments. Not everyone can afford this so they suffer in silence. It's not right really.

You have my sympathies too sugarbaby. I booked myself in for an eye test this week as I think I need to change my glasses. I only wear them for distances/driving but was aware of a deterioration. I'm very conscious because my mother had glaucoma so want to keep on top of things. They recommended a scan which cost £40. I had it willingly for peace of mind but I asked out of curiosity what would happen if I couldn't afford £40. The answer was that they'd refer me to the NHS and I'd go on a very long waiting list!

“

The funniest one was the hall. It desperately needed painting and being scared of heights I am hopeless with ladderwork (to be fair so was my husband). I said I would get a decorator. He said no I'll be ok, I'll do it, I'll manage. Anyway after a couple of years of waiting I got fed up

That's the main reason we've got the decorators in this week. My DH is good at DIY but there's a lot of hassle involved with hall/stairs/landing and the same with outside. We have ladders and DH isn't scared of heights but I feel more comfortable getting people in. Plus he's been putting it off for an age because he's always got something else to do. We've had 5 men here all week (only 2 today) but they seem to be everywhere.

I'm still battling against the few pounds I gained on holiday back in June/July. I just can't seem to shift it. I think it's because my lifestyle/diet is good for maintaining my weight and making the effort to lose after 6 years is hard.

DH's birthday yesterday and we had planned a day out. Unfortunately he's got a virus (mainly bad throat and chesty cough) so we postponed it but I did make us a nice meal last night. DGD1's birthday is this weekend so that'll be another meal out and Wednesday a friend's big birthday to celebrate. That's what I mean about my lifestyle getting in the way of weightloss. It's so hard to choose healthy options in restaurants. They seem to pad everything out with pastry or bread or batter. Then meals come with piles of chips and very few veg.

Seems all my posts have or after them today. Life is good really. Have a good weekend all when it comes.

Am relatively fabbed for me...3/4 sleeve knee length dress in b&w, plaques and cute black ankle boots with a chunky cardi on top. Just nipped into Primarni to pick up some of their Jo Malone smellalikes, i also need a creamy nude eyeshadow so will wander thru Debenhams on the way back to the car park.

We have had some positive news re DH and his on-going work situation...now waiting for the final report so fingers crossed it may all be over by this Christmas (I had hoped for last but it wasn't to be )

Am relatively fabbed for me...3/4 sleeve knee length dress in b&w, plaques and cute black ankle boots with a chunky cardi on top. Just nipped into Primarni to pick up some of their Jo Malone smellalikes, i also need a creamy nude eyeshadow so will wander thru Debenhams on the way back to the car park.

We have had some positive news re DH and his on-going work situation...now waiting for the final report so fingers crossed it may all be over by this Christmas (I had hoped for last but it wasn't to be )

What are the Jo Malone smellalikes? I have a Green tea perfume which I like. What have you been buying?

I can recommend the Aldi 'Jo Malone' type candles. I think there are 3 perfumes. From memory the one I like has basil in it. For any Aldi shoppers, in my store they're near the dishwasher stuff in the household aisle.

Ooh yeah, Floss what are these wondrous jo malone type smellies of which thou speaks. Pray do tell. Good news about hubbys job.

I have the Aldi look a like candles too. Absolute bargain, they smell lovely and look really posh.

This week I have had a little splurge.....my back was bad so I did some "sofa" shopping.. Bought some miracle wrinkle cream and fillers. No idea what they are like. I will test drive them and report back if any of them are any good. I'm very sceptical. I would probably be better off with Industrial strength pollyfilla.

If only we could do that, ha ha. I recently repainted our Victorian doorstep. You know the old "red" ones. Well it was in a sorry state so prior to Painting I applied a couple Layers of pollyfilla to give a nice even surface. It looks like new.

Some of the Primarni smellies are really nice, others aren't quite to my taste I bought the Pearl Grey diffusers and 3 candles. They didn't have the basil & lime one in stock but will check out the Aldi hiding place near the dishwasher stuff!

Some of the Primarni smellies are really nice, others aren't quite to my taste I bought the Pearl Grey diffusers and 3 candles. They didn't have the basil & lime one in stock but will check out the Aldi hiding place near the dishwasher stuff!

There are 3 candles in the Aldi range at £3.99 each. I like the basil, lime and mandarin one.

Painters finished for the day. Back on Monday for some snagging on the work done so far and to paint the kitchen. Maybe I'll take myself out. DH said he'd found it really stressful having them here. I think it's because he can do better himself and, being a Virgo, he's a perfectionist!

Looking forward to hearing how you get on with the online make up buys LL . I do think a few 'laughter lines ' are preferable to the Polyfilla look. There are some hideous examples around of people who've had 'work done ' and look expressionless.

Yay, I found where they hide the candles in Aldi! They had all three, I got the lime & basil one...not keen on the blackberry one & the pomegranate one has a clovey smell which reminds me of my childhood dentist (not a good memory!) so will stick with the one I like!

I had a really enjoyable night out last night. I spent most of the evening dancing with Wayne. I was not expecting to see him, because he had other plans, but he cancelled them.

We are just supposed to be friends. but sometimes he was irritating me last night by talking about how much he had missed me etc. I just pointed out to him, that when he had me in his life, he did not really want me fully in his life. He will either get used to the parameters of being friends or we will inevitably go back to having no contact. I only allowed him to have my landline number, as this way, he can not contact me at his every whim. He is in Holland for work for 2 weeks from today.

Life is stressful for me with all the ongoing saga with Lambeth Benefits and my health issues, but I am determined to get back to enjoying the things that make me happy. I am going to Karaoke tomorrow and on Tuesday.

Good for you SUgarbaby..... I think you have great courage and spirit. And I tend to agree.....a bit of positive thinking can work wonders.

I have joined a group called Jolly Dollies.........a group for widows. I will be meeting them for the first time tomorrow at a local beauty spot where there is a nice cafe. It's a social group rather than a bereavement support group and we meeting up to discuss some kind of itinerary and plan some activities over the winter.

I think it's time I'm made the effort and start d socialising a bit more.

My knee is still playing up so I've booked a steroid injection for next week. It's a bit swollen and can be a bit hot to the touch so ther s obviously some inflammation going on. Hopefully the injection will calm things down and give me a bit of a breathing space so I can start a proper exercise and rehabilitation programme.

Again I'm paying (or rather my insurance is footing the bill). The NHS aren't really interested in preventative measures or rehab and exercise programmes. Very shortsighted really but it's just the way it's set up. So,once again I'm taking the initiative and trying to help myself rather than let things deteriorate even further.

Tried one of the wrinkle fillers this morning on my deep forehead wrinkles. It seems ok. It doesn't eradicate the wrinkles but just seems to soften them a bit, which is really what I'm aiming for. A completely wrinkle free forehead would look downright weird........

Apparently the effects are cumulative so I'll give it a few days before I make up my mind.

Right off for a little stroll down to the local shops and then a bit of house fabbing and some cooking. The sun is trying is to come out so maybe have a potter in the garden if it's not too cold.

You sound totally in control of the Wayne situation sugarbaby. Well done! Hope you can have sufficient rest in between to enjoy the two karaoke sessions.

I like the sound of the Jolly Dollies LL. I think it's not really important that you're all widows (hope they don't dwell on that aspect too much) but it's good to have a group to go places with. It's not that you can't visit a beauty spot and have a drink on your own it's just more sociable in a group.

It's DGDs birthday tomorrow and we're going out for a late lunch today. Tomorrow she's going back to London to celebrate with her university friends. I've checked the menu and hoping I have the willpower to have a fairly healthy meal.

I've been feeling really cold the past few days. It hasn't helped that the painters have been here with the windows and doors open. No painters today but it's still not very warm. I'm thinking I'll wear a fine knit jumper and black trousers and heels out for lunch. It's a fairly casual restaurant and daytime so not too much dressing up needed.

Glad you found the candles floss. I agree with you about the 3 perfumes.

Another one here who has been feeling cold Maman especially in the mornings so I have set the heating to come on for just an hour first thing and timed so the en-suite is nice and cosy ready for my shower
Have had a busy week, Pilates started agin on Tuesday and it was so good to have a good stretch, just wasn't the same doing it at home!
Lulu and I have been getting to know each other a bit more, she had her vaccinations on Wednesday and nearly hit the roof when the needle went in, poor thing don't think she's ever had an injection before She is such a sweetie though and now follows me around the field when I'm poo-picking, the saddler is coming on Monday so hopefully next week we can finally have a little ride. One positive side effect from more physical work is, despite being permanently hungry, I have lost four pounds during the last week
Thanks for the heads up on the Aldi candles ladies, must remember to pick some up next time we are near a branch as it's something I use a lot of during the darker months.
I went into Cambridge on Tuesday for a haircut and colour which was very relaxing, I also picked up some more of my No7 moisturiser and took advantage of their 3for2 deal but apart from that my purse has stayed shut all week. I desperately need some new wellies but need to save up for the ones I want, have brought cheap before and they just haven't been up to the task.
Hope all are well, sorry that you are having to go through difficult times with the council Sugarbaby but pleased to read you are enjoying your singing and dancing, plus time spent with Wayne.
Sounds like you are doing a lot of house fabbing Chanie

Right, time for a cuppa and maybe a cheeky slice of Bara Birth, say I cook it for my beloved but I enjoy it just as much

I had to get 4 loads of laundry washed and tumble dried yesterday and a 5th load washed. I am drying that load this morning. Thanks to me using my tumble drier wisely, I do not need to iron virtually nothing that I wash. I am very good at ironing, but feel it is a waste of valuable time. I am always busy unless health issues prevent me from doing what I want to do, so I have to use my available time in the best way to suit my lifestyle.

I always start each Monday with everything that everyone in the household owns clean, so that we can all just pick outfits off of our clothes rails.

I have a few errands that I need to run today, so that I can have the way clear to go to Karaoke tonight.

I have gotten as much rest as I can between household chores yesterday and will do the same again today.

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